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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - The New Rochelle Police Department is warning residents to be on high alert after recently recovering a “skimming device,” which can be used to steal debit or credit card information.

Police issued an alert that they have tracked down the skimming device at a local gas station credit card payment terminal. It was not immediately clear if any personal information had been stolen.

The device was a credit card machine at the Sunoco Station on Huguenot Street, police said.

According to police, skimming devices allow thieves to copy credit or debit card information, and it can often be difficult to determine that a device is attached to a payment terminal or ATM. Police said that consumers should contact their banks or credit card companies by calling the number on the back of the card to obtain further information about protecting their identities.

“One of the many security suggestions are text alerts to your cellular phones whenever a charge is made,” police noted. “Credit or debit card with ‘chips’ are more secure than magnetic stripe cards. Residents can also research online for ways to avoid becoming a victim of a skimming device.”